This is The Village Voice, a bookstore in Paris. It's an austere little place, most French in atmosphere, although it's an English bookstore. I go to bookstores just like this all the time, and spend copious amounts of money.
Today in conversation with a friend, though, as I was raving about the wonders of my favorite bookstores and the dilemmas they face in the world today, he gazed at me and asked "Yes, well, what about libraries?"
Libraries?
Immediately I went on the defensive, and launched into a description of the bike ride I always made to the library in Pittsfield, Massachusetts when I was nine and ten years old. It was my favorite thing to do in the whole world. I took out four books, ate them alive, rode back pronto, and took out four more. One day I was told that lucky children could now take out ten books at a time. That day was as good as Christmas.
The last time I went to a library, to actually take out books with my library card, not to listen to a talk of any kind, was two years, three months and six days ago...or thereabouts. I took out ten coffee table picture books, but I was so out of practice, I forgot to take them back...for a long time....
The fact is, these days I buy my books. I have a vested interest in growing my own library, especially since that ill-conceived day I moved while in a bad mood, and divested myself of stacks of books to more easily fit into the new place.
I don't sit down and actually read a book anymore, though. Like all afternoon when the sun is shining, like I used to in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The last time I read a book all the way through, I was traveling.
I stare at picture books. I buy books I plan to read. I have a stack on my bedside table.
I go to the magazine stand, and spend the equivalent of three books there. This one is in Laguna Beach, CA. 
They've stopped carrying MarieClaire Maison, and I'm most bereft.
But now I'm sitting here enveloped in nostalgia for all the libraries I used to frequent, from that library in Pittsfield to the hole-in-the-wall American library in Brussels, Belgium, to the library in Oakland and Pasadena and Evanston and even Ponte Vedra, Florida.
I've just checked my wallet. My library card is in it, just like always. Just like since first grade.
I hope all the libraries in the world will wait for me.
Comments